CN114727390A

CN114727390A - Search space group switching method and device

Info

Publication number: CN114727390A
Application number: CN202110004990.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李东儒; 李娜; 沈晓冬; 吴凯
Original assignee: Vivo Mobile Communication Co Ltd
Current assignee: Vivo Mobile Communication Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-01-04
Filing date: 2021-01-04
Publication date: 2022-07-08
Also published as: EP4274339A1; KR20230125289A; US20230354164A1; JP2024500943A; WO2022143975A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a method and equipment for switching search space groups, wherein the method can be applied to a terminal and comprises the following steps: switching between at least two search space groups; executing a corresponding Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring behavior according to the switched search space group; wherein the at least two search space groups include a search space group #2, the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space or a first search space, and the first search space includes: a first type of common search space CSS, a user specific search space USS, at least one of CSSs other than the first type of CSS.

Description

Search space group switching method and device

Technical Field

The present application belongs to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for switching search space groups (the apparatus may include a search space group switching device and a terminal).

Background

Two Search Space groups (SS groups) are introduced into the communication system, a Type3 Physical Downlink Control Channel Common Search Space set (Type3-Physical Downlink Control Channel Common Search Space set, Type3-PDCCH CSS set) or a user Specific Search Space (UE Specific Search Space, USS) set can be associated (link) to the two Search Space groups, and the terminal is required to monitor all the time when the other Common Search Space set of the Type0/0A/1/2 does not belong to the Search Space groups. At present, the PDCCH monitoring effect achieved by switching between two SS groups is limited, which is not beneficial to terminal energy saving.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a method and equipment for switching search space groups, which can solve the problems that the PDCCH monitoring effect is limited and the energy conservation of a terminal is not facilitated due to only two search space groups.

In a first aspect, a search space group switching method is provided, which is applied to a terminal, and the method includes: switching between at least two search space groups; executing a corresponding Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring behavior according to the switched search space group; wherein the at least two search space groups include a search space group #2, the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space or a first search space, and the first search space includes: at least one of a first type of common search space CSS, a user-specific search space USS, a CSS other than the first type of CSS.

In a second aspect, there is provided a search space group switching apparatus, including: a switching module for switching between at least two search space groups; the PDCCH monitoring module is used for executing corresponding PDCCH monitoring behaviors according to the switched search space group; wherein the at least two search space groups include a search space group #2, the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space or a first search space, and the first search space includes: at least one of a first type of common search space CSS, a user-specific search space USS, a CSS other than the first type of CSS.

In a third aspect, a terminal is provided, the terminal comprising a processor, a memory, and a program or instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor, the program or instructions when executed by the processor implementing the method according to the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a readable storage medium having stored thereon a program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implements the method of the first aspect.

In a fifth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a processor, a memory, and a program or instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the method according to the first aspect.

In a sixth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip comprising a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to execute a program or instructions to implement the method according to the first aspect.

In the embodiment of the application, by introducing the search space group #2, more flexible and various PDCCH monitoring effects can be achieved; under the condition that the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space, the terminal is switched to the search space group #2, so that the PDCCH monitoring can be skipped, and the purpose of saving energy of the terminal is achieved; under the condition that the search space group #2 is not associated with the first search space, and the terminal is switched to the search space group #2, at least the first search space does not need to be monitored, and the terminal is convenient to save energy.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a search space group switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a search space group switching apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments that can be derived from the embodiments given herein by a person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims of the present application are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the application are capable of operation in other sequences than those illustrated or otherwise described herein, and that the terms "first" and "second" are generally used herein in a generic sense to distinguish one element from another, and not necessarily from another element, such as a first element which may be one or more than one. In addition, "and/or" in the specification and the claims means at least one of connected objects, and a character "/" generally means that a preceding and succeeding related objects are in an "or" relationship.

It is noted that the techniques described in the embodiments of the present application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE Evolution (LTE-Advanced) systems, but may also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application are often used interchangeably, and the described techniques can be used for both the above-mentioned systems and radio technologies, as well as for other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for purposes of example, and NR terminology is used in much of the description below, but the techniques may also be applied to applications other than NR system applications, such as generation 6 (6)^thGeneration, 6G) communication system.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. Wherein, the terminal 11 may also be called as a terminal Device or a User Equipment (UE), the terminal 11 may be a Mobile phone, a Tablet Personal Computer (Tablet Personal Computer), a Laptop Computer (Laptop Computer) or a notebook Computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a palmtop Computer, a netbook, a super-Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC), a Mobile Internet Device (MID), a Wearable Device (Wearable Device) or a vehicle-mounted Device (VUE), a pedestrian terminal (PUE), and other terminal side devices, the Wearable Device includes: bracelets, earphones, glasses and the like. It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific type of the terminal 11. The network-side device 12 may be a Base Station or a core network, wherein the Base Station may be referred to as a node B, an evolved node B, an access Point, a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a radio Base Station, a radio Transceiver, a Basic Service Set (BSS), an Extended Service Set (ESS), a node B, an evolved node B (eNB), a next generation node B (gnb), a home node B, a home evolved node B (hbo), a WLAN access Point, a WiFi node, a Transmission Receiving Point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology in the field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved, the Base Station is not limited to a specific technical vocabulary, and it should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, only the Base Station in the NR system is taken as an example, but the specific type of the Base Station is not limited.

The following describes in detail a search space group switching method and device provided in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings through specific embodiments and application scenarios thereof.

As shown in fig. 2, the present embodiment provides a search space group switching method 200, which may be performed by a terminal, in other words, by software or hardware installed in the terminal, and the method includes the following steps.

S202: switching between at least two search space groups.

Optionally, before S202, the terminal may further receive configuration information from a network-side device, where the configuration information is used to configure the at least two search space groups for the terminal.

In this embodiment, the terminal may implement switching between at least two search space groups according to a trigger mechanism such as receiving a Downlink Control Information (DCI) indication, acquiring a network side device configuration, and changing a state of a timer.

S204: executing a corresponding Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring action according to the switched search space group; the at least two search space groups include search space group #2, and search space group #2 is not associated with any search space or with the first search space.

The first search space includes: at least one of a Common Search Space (CSS) of a first type, a user Specific Search Space (USS) of a UE, and CSSs other than the CSS of the first type. For example, the first search space includes a first type of CSS; the first search space includes a first type of CSS and USS; the first search space includes a type USS and CSSs other than the first type CSS; the first search space comprises the first type of CSS and CSSs other than the first type of CSS, i.e. the first search space comprises all types of CSS.

Alternatively, the first type CSS may be a type3 CSS.

It can be understood that, in the case that the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space, the terminal switching to the search space group #2 can implement skipping PDCCH monitoring, and can implement terminal energy saving; under the condition that the search space group #2 is not associated with the first search space, and the terminal is switched to the search space group #2, the terminal does not need to monitor the first search space at least, and the terminal is convenient to realize energy saving.

It should be noted that skipping PDCCH monitoring refers to skipping monitoring of PDCCHs other than Type0/0A/1/2 CSS.

The at least two search space groups mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may further include at least one of the following items in addition to the search space group # 2:

1) search space group #0

In an embodiment, when the search space group #0 is associated with a search space of a sparse (sparse) Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring period, the terminal switches to the search space group #0 to reduce PDCCH monitoring, which is convenient for implementing terminal energy saving, but scheduling delay may be relatively increased.

2) Search space group #1

In one embodiment, the search space group #1 is associated with a search space of a dense PDCCH monitoring period, and the terminal switching to the search space group #1 may reduce the scheduling delay, but the terminal power consumption may relatively increase.

Optionally, the network side configures or agrees to agree on the search space group #0 or the search space group #1 as a default search space group.

In the embodiment of the present application, the search spaces associated with the search space group #0 and the search space group #1 are not limited.

According to the search space group switching method provided by the embodiment of the application, by introducing the search space group #2, more flexible and diversified PDCCH monitoring effects can be achieved; under the condition that the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space, the terminal is switched to the search space group #2, so that the PDCCH monitoring can be skipped, and the purpose of saving energy of the terminal is achieved; under the condition that the search space group #2 is not associated with the first search space, and the terminal is switched to the search space group #2, at least the first search space does not need to be monitored, and the terminal is convenient to save energy.

The following is a detailed description of various embodiments, taking the switching (or conversion) method between the three search space groups as an example.

Scheme one

The at least two search space groups mentioned in the embodiment 200 include the search space group #0 and/or the search space group #1, such that the terminal in S202 switches between the at least two search space groups including at least one of:

1) switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 1;

2) switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2.

In a first aspect, the terminal may perform the search space group switching process according to the first Downlink Control Information (DCI) instruction in 1) or 2).

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, switching from search space group 1 to search space group 2 may be understood as switching from search space group 1 to search space group 2 in a case where the terminal currently uses search space group 1. This can also be understood in the following examples, which are not described in detail.

In this example, the terminal switching between at least two search space groups includes at least one of: 1) in the case where the terminal uses the search space group #0, if the first indication is obtained as a first value, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 1; 2) under the condition that the terminal uses the search space group #0, if the acquired first indication is a second value, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2; wherein the first indication is carried in a first DCI.

In this example, the first DCI may be a DCI that schedules data or may be a DCI that does not schedule data.

For example, the first DCI is DCI format 1-1. A first indication of switching from search space group #0 to search space group #1 or from search space group #0 to search space group #2, which may occupy 1 bit, is newly added in DCI format 1-1, a first indication of '0' indicating switching from search space group #0 to search space group #1, and a first indication of '1' representing switching from search space group #0 to search space group # 2.

The newly added first indication mentioned in the above example is used to indicate the above 1) and 2) search space group switching procedure. In addition, the function of the existing indication field can be indicated by the second indication in combination with the existing indication field in the DCI (such as the indication field with other functions or the reserved indication field in the DCI), so as to implement the above 1) and 2) search space group switching.

For example, the first DCI mentioned in the above example may further include a second indication that at least one of: 1) if the obtained second indication is a third value, presetting an indication domain for the first indication; 2) and if the second indication is a fourth value, the preset indication field is used for presetting the indication.

In this embodiment, a function reuse indication (i.e., a second indication) of the indication field is newly added to the first DCI, and a function for which the preset indication field is used is determined according to the function reuse indication of the indication field. Specifically, for example, the second indication added in the first DCI is 1 bit, and the preset indication field is a minimum available scheduling offset indication field in DCI format 1-1. The second indication of '0' indicates a minimum available scheduling offset indication field (i.e., a preset indication field) for the minimum available scheduling offset indication, and the second indication of '1' indicates the minimum available scheduling offset indication field for the above 1) and 2) search space group switching indication, i.e., for the first indication.

In the first scheme, the search space group switching may be performed by using a bundling indication with a third indication field in the first DCI, where the third indication field may be: a minimum available scheduling offset indication, a skip PDCCH monitoring indication, a BandWidth Part (BWP) handover indication, etc.

In this example, the terminal switching between at least two search space groups includes at least one of: 1) in the case where the terminal uses the search space group #0, if the minimum available scheduling offset indicated by the minimum available scheduling offset indication is acquired to be equal to 0, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 1; 2) in a case where the terminal uses the search space group #0, if the minimum available scheduling offset indicated by the acquired minimum available scheduling offset indication is greater than 0, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2.

This example can reduce signaling resource overhead by means of bundling indication without adding an indication field in the first DCI.

Scheme two

The first scheme mainly describes how the terminal determines whether to switch from the search space group #0 to the search space group #1 or from the search space group #0 to the search space group #2, and the second scheme mainly describes how the terminal switches from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or from the search space group #2 to a default search space group, where the default search space group is any one of the at least two search space groups.

The at least two search space groups mentioned in the embodiment 200 further include a search space group #0, such that switching the terminal in S202 between the at least two search space groups includes: switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group.

In the second scheme, the terminal may perform switching between the search space groups according to the first timer.

In this example, switching the terminal from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 includes: in case that the terminal uses the search space group #2, after a first timer expires or a first time interval after the first timer expires, switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group. For example, in a case where the terminal uses the search space group #2, the terminal performs a step of switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 after a first timer times out; for another example, when the terminal uses the search space group #2, the terminal performs the step of switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 after 3ms from the timeout of the first timer. Wherein the first timer is for switching from the search space group #2 to a search space group #0 or for switching from the search space group #2 to a default search space group.

In addition, in this embodiment, after the terminal switches from the other search space group (e.g., #0 or #1) to the search space group #2, the first timer is started or restarted; switching from the search space group #2 to (fallback to) the search space group #0 after a first timer expires (expires) or after a first time interval after the first timer expires. In this case, the network side configures the search space group #0 as a default search space group. Wherein the first timer is for switching from the search space group #2 to a search space group #0 or for switching from the search space group #2 to a default search space group. The default search space set in this embodiment may be any one of the at least two search space sets mentioned in embodiment 200.

Alternatively, the count unit of the first timer may be: time slots, milliseconds or Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycles, etc.

In the second scheme, the terminal may further perform search space group switching according to the detected second DCI.

In this example, the terminal switching between at least two search space groups includes: in case the terminal uses the search space group #2, if a second DCI is received or detected, switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group.

Optionally, the second DCI may be scrambled by a Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI); and/or the search space carrying the second DCI is a search space of a specific type. Specifically, for example, the second DCI is scrambled by a cell radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI); as another example, the search space type carrying the second DCI is CSS.

For example, when the current terminal uses the search space group #2, the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space, and when the terminal detects the DCI format 1-0 scrambled by the C-RNTI at the PDCCH monitoring occasion of the type 3CSS, the terminal switches from the search space group #2 to the default search space group, for example, the network configures the default search space group as the search space group #0, that is, switches from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0.

The two examples of the second scheme mainly describe that the terminal performs search space group switching according to the first timer and according to whether the second DCI is detected. In other embodiments, in case the terminal uses the search space group #2, if a third DCI is detected, the search space group #2 is continuously used, i.e., search space group switching is not performed.

Optionally, the third DCI may be scrambled by a group common rnti (group common rnti) or a broadcast rnti (broadcast rnti). Specifically, for example, the third DCI is scrambled by a slot format indicator SFI-RNTI, a power saving PS-RNTI, a paging P-RNTI, an RA-RNTI, and the like.

In this embodiment, the terminal may further start or restart the first timer after detecting the third DCI; the role of the first timer can be seen in the foregoing, that is, the function for the terminal to switch from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or the default search space group. Wherein, the counting unit of the first timer may be: slot, millisecond, or DRX cycle. The default search space set in this embodiment may be any one of the at least two search space sets mentioned in embodiment 200.

Alternatively, in scheme one and scheme two, the terminal may not support direct switching between the search space group #1 and the search space group # 2. For example, the network side configures or agrees that the terminal does not support direct handover between the search space group #2 and the search space group # 1. The direct switching refers to switching from the search space group #1 to the search space group #2, or switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 1.

The embodiment can realize skipping of PDCCH monitoring by switching to the search space group #2 on the premise of applying the existing search space group switching mechanism to the maximum extent, thereby realizing energy conservation of the terminal; meanwhile, the signaling overhead can be saved compared with the third scheme to be described below.

Scheme three

In the third scheme, the terminal supports switching between the default search space group, and any two of the search space group #0, the search space group #1 and the search space group #2, so that flexible search space group switching can be realized, and different PDCCH monitoring effects can be realized.

The at least two search space groups mentioned in the embodiment 200 further include the search space group #0 and/or the search space group #1, such that the terminal in S202 switches between the at least two search space groups including at least one of:

1) switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0;

2) switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 1;

3) switching from the search space group #2 to a default search space group, wherein the default search space group is any one of the at least two search space groups.

In a third solution, the terminal may perform the switching between the search space groups according to the first timer.

In this example, switching the terminal from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group includes: in case the terminal uses the search space group #2, switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group is performed after a first timer expires (expires) or after a first time interval after the first timer expires. The default search space set in this embodiment may be any one of the at least two search space sets mentioned in embodiment 200.

In addition, in this embodiment, after the terminal switches from another search space group (e.g., #0 or #1) to the search space group #2, the first timer is started or restarted; switching from the search space group #2 to (fallback to) the search space group #0 after a first timer expires (expires) or after a first time interval after the first timer expires. In this case, the network side configures the search space group #0 as a default search space group. Wherein the first timer is for switching from the search space group #2 to a search space group #0 or for switching from the search space group #2 to a default search space group.

Alternatively, the count unit of the first timer may be: time slot, millisecond, or DRX cycle, etc.

In the third scheme, the terminal may further perform search space group switching according to the detected second DCI.

In this example, the terminal switching between at least two search space groups includes: in case the terminal uses the search space group #2, if a second DCI is received or detected, performing at least one of:

1) switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0;

2) switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 1;

3) switch from the search space group #2 to the default search space group.

In this embodiment, the terminal may further determine to switch from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0, or switch from the search space group #2 to the search space group #1, or switch from the search space group #2 to the default search space group, according to at least one of a configuration of a network side device, a predefined rule (e.g., a protocol convention), and the second DCI.

For example, Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration switches from the search space group #2 to the search space group #1 if the second DCI is received (detected) when the terminal uses the search space group # 2. For another example, when the terminal uses the search space group #2, the terminal switches from the search space group #2 to the search space group #1, and defaults to either the search space group or the search space group #0, as indicated by the second DCI.

Optionally, the second DCI is scrambled by a specific RNTI; and/or the search space carrying the second DCI is a specific type of search space. Specifically, for example, the second DCI is scrambled by the C-RNTI. As another example, the search space type carrying the second DCI is CSS.

For example, when the current terminal uses the search space group #2, the search space group #2 is not related to any search space, and when the terminal detects the DCI format 1-0 scrambled by the C-RNTI at the PDCCH monitoring occasion of the type 3CSS, the terminal switches from the search space group #2 to the default search space group, for example, the network configures the default search space group as the search space group #0, that is, switches from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0.

The two examples of the third scheme mainly describe that the terminal performs search space group switching according to the first timer and whether the second DCI is detected. In other embodiments, in case the terminal uses the search space group #2, if a third DCI is detected, the search space group #2 is continuously used, i.e., search space group switching is not performed.

Optionally, the third DCI is scrambled by a group common RNTI or a broadcast RNTI. Specifically, for example, the third DCI is scrambled by a slot format indicator SFI-RNTI or a power saving PS-RNTI, a paging P-RNTI, an RA-RNTI, and the like.

In this embodiment, the terminal may further start or restart the first timer after detecting the third DCI; the role of the first timer can be seen in the foregoing, that is, for the terminal to switch from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or to switch from the search space group #2 to the default search space group. Wherein, the counting unit of the first timer may be: slot, millisecond, or DRX cycle.

The above examples of the third scenario mainly describe how the terminal switches from the search space group #2 to the search space group #1, the default search space group or the search space group #0, and how the terminal switches from the search space group #1 or the search space group #0 to the search space group #2, reference may be made to the descriptions of the embodiments of the first scenario to the third scenario, for example, switching from the search space group #1 or the search space group #0 to the search space group #2 according to DCI instructions; for another example, if DCI is not detected during the timer running, the search space group #2 is switched from the search space group #1 or the search space group #0 after the timer expires.

Scheme four

In this scheme, the switching, by the terminal, between the at least two search space groups includes: switching the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the target information; wherein the target information comprises at least one of: a secondary cell dormancy or dormancy removal indication, a secondary cell activation or deactivation indication; the target cell group is other cell groups except the cell group to which the cell indicated by the target information belongs. The scheme is suitable for a scenario that a network side device configures carrier aggregation of a plurality of serving cells (serving cells), and a cell group can be configured by the network side device, for example, the cell group is equal to a dormant secondary cell group.

In a first example, the at least two search space groups further include search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; under the condition that the target information comprises a secondary cell dormancy removal indication or a secondary cell activation indication, the switching the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the target information comprises at least one of the following items:

1) switching a search space group of a cell group using the search space group #2 among the target cell groups to a search space group #0 or a search space group # 1;

2) switching a search space group of a cell group using search space group #0 among the target cell groups to search space group # 1.

In a second example, the at least two search space groups further include search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; when the target information includes a secondary cell dormancy indication or a secondary cell deactivation indication, the switching the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the target information includes at least one of:

1) switching a search space group of a cell group using a search space group #1 among the target cell groups to a search space group #0 or the search space group # 2;

2) switching a search space group of a cell group using search space group #0 among the target cell groups to the search space group # 2.

Optionally, after switching to the search space group #2, the embodiment may further start or restart a first timer, where the first timer is used to switch from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or to switch from the search space group #2 to a default search space group. The default search space set in this embodiment may be any one of the at least two search space sets mentioned in embodiment 200.

It should be noted that the first timer mentioned in the embodiments of the present specification may be the same timer.

In a second example, switching the search space group of the target cell group between the at least two search space groups based on the target information comprises: if no DCI is detected during the second timer run, switching the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the target information.

For example, the terminal starts or restarts the second timer when receiving the secondary cell dormant indication or the secondary cell deactivation indication, and switches the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the description of the second example above after the second timer expires if DCI is not detected during the operation of the second timer.

It should be noted that, in the search space group switching method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the execution main body may be a search space group switching device, or a control module in the search space group switching device, configured to execute the search space group switching method. In the embodiment of the present application, a method for performing search space group switching by using a search space group switching device is taken as an example, and the search space group switching device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a search space group switching apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application, which may correspond to a terminal in other embodiments. As shown in fig. 3, the apparatus 300 includes:

a switching module 302, which can be configured to switch between at least two search space groups;

a PDCCH monitoring module 304, configured to perform a corresponding PDCCH monitoring behavior according to the switched search space group;

wherein the at least two search space groups include a search space group #2, the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space or a first search space, and the first search space includes: a first type of common search space CSS, a user specific search space USS, at least one of CSSs other than the first type of CSS.

The search space group switching device provided by the embodiment of the application can achieve more flexible and diversified PDCCH monitoring effects by introducing the search space group # 2; under the condition that the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space, switching to the search space group #2 can realize skipping PDCCH monitoring, thereby achieving the purpose of energy conservation; in the case that the search space group #2 is not associated with the first search space, in the case of switching to the search space group #2, there is no need to monitor at least the first search space, which is also convenient for achieving energy saving.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the at least two search space groups further include a search space group #0 and/or a search space group # 1; the switching module 302 is configured to at least one of:

switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 1;

switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the switching module 302 is configured to at least one of:

in the case of using the search space group #0, if the first indication is acquired as a first value, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 1;

in the case of using the search space group #0, if the first indication is acquired as the second value, switching is made from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2.

Wherein the first indication is carried in first downlink control information DCI.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the first DCI further includes a second indication, where the second indication satisfies at least one of:

if the obtained second indication is a third value, presetting an indication domain for the first indication;

and if the second indication is a fourth value, the preset indication field is used for presetting the indication.

in the case where the terminal uses the search space group #0, if the minimum available scheduling offset indicated by the minimum available scheduling offset indication is acquired to be equal to 0, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 1;

in a case where the terminal uses the search space group #0, if the minimum available scheduling offset indicated by the acquired minimum available scheduling offset indication is greater than 0, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2.

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0;

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 1;

switching from the search space group #2 to a default search space group, wherein the default search space group is any one of the at least two search space groups.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or the switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group includes:

in case the terminal uses the search space group #2, switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group after a first timer expires or after a first time interval after the first timer expires.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the apparatus 300 further includes:

a control module, configured to start or restart a first timer after switching to the search space group # 2;

wherein the first timer is for switching from the search space group #2 to a search space group #0 or for switching from the search space group #2 to a default search space group.

in case of using the search space group #2, if a second DCI is detected, performing at least one of:

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0;

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 1;

switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group.

Alternatively, the processor may, as an embodiment,

the second DCI is scrambled by a specific Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI); and/or

The search space carrying the second DCI is a search space of a specific type.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the switching module 302 is further configured to determine to switch from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0, or to switch from the search space group #2 to the search space group #1, or to switch from the search space group #2 to the default search space group, according to at least one of a network side device configuration, a predefined rule, and the second DCI.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the switching module 302 is further configured to, in the case of using the search space group #2, if a third DCI is detected, continue to use the search space group # 2.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the third DCI is scrambled by a group common RNTI or a broadcast RNTI.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the apparatus 300 further includes:

the control module is used for starting or restarting a first timer after the third DCI is detected;

Optionally, as an embodiment, the network side configures or agrees that the search space group switching device 300 does not support direct switching between the search space group #2 and the search space group # 1.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the count unit of the first timer is: slot, millisecond, discontinuous reception DRX cycle.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the handover module 302 is configured to handover a search space group of a target cell group between at least two search space groups according to target information;

wherein the target information comprises at least one of: a secondary cell dormancy or dormancy removal indication, a secondary cell activation or deactivation indication; the target cell group is other cell groups except the cell group to which the cell indicated by the target information belongs.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the at least two search space groups further include a search space group #0 and/or a search space group # 1; in a case that the target information includes a secondary cell dormancy removal indication or a secondary cell activation indication, the handover module 302 is configured to at least one of:

switching a search space group of a cell group using the search space group #2 among the target cell groups to the search space group #0 or the search space group # 1;

switching a search space group of a cell group using the search space group #0 among the target cell groups to the search space group # 1.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the at least two search space groups further include a search space group #0 and/or a search space group # 1; in a case that the target information includes a secondary cell dormancy indication or a secondary cell deactivation indication, the handover module 302 is configured to:

switching a search space group of a cell group using the search space group #1 among the target cell groups to the search space group #0 or the search space group # 2;

switching a search space group of a cell group using the search space group #0 among the target cell groups to the search space group # 2.

Optionally, as an embodiment, the handover module 302 is configured to, if DCI is not detected during the operation of the second timer, handover the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the target information.

The apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present application may refer to the flow corresponding to the method 200 of the embodiment of the present application, and each unit/module and the other operations and/or functions described above in the apparatus 300 are respectively for implementing the corresponding flow in the method 200 and achieving the same or equivalent technical effects, and are not described herein again for brevity.

The search space group switching device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device, or may be a component, an integrated circuit, or a chip in a terminal. The device can be a mobile terminal or a non-mobile terminal. By way of example, the mobile terminal may include, but is not limited to, the above-listed type of terminal 11, and the non-mobile terminal may be a server, a Network Attached Storage (NAS), a Personal Computer (PC), a Television (TV), a teller machine, a kiosk, or the like, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited in particular.

The search space group switching device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device having an operating system. The operating system may be an Android (Android) operating system, an ios operating system, or other possible operating systems, and embodiments of the present application are not limited specifically.

The search space group switching device provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement each process implemented in the method embodiment of fig. 2, and achieve the same technical effect, and is not described here again to avoid repetition.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 4, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 400, which includes a processor 401, a memory 402, and a program or an instruction stored in the memory 402 and executable on the processor 401, for example, when the communication device 400 is a terminal, the program or the instruction is executed by the processor 401 to implement the processes of the search space group switching method embodiment, and the same technical effect can be achieved.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of a terminal for implementing the embodiment of the present application.

The terminal 500 includes but is not limited to: a radio frequency unit 501, a network module 502, an audio output unit 503, an input unit 504, a sensor 505, a display unit 506, a user input unit 507, an interface unit 508, a memory 509, a processor 510, and the like.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terminal 500 may further include a power supply (e.g., a battery) for supplying power to various components, and the power supply may be logically connected to the processor 510 via a power management system, so as to implement functions of managing charging, discharging, and power consumption via the power management system. The terminal structure shown in fig. 5 does not constitute a limitation of the terminal, and the terminal may include more or less components than those shown, or combine some components, or have a different arrangement of components, and will not be described again here.

It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the input Unit 504 may include a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) 5041 and a microphone 5042, and the Graphics processor 5041 processes image data of still pictures or videos obtained by an image capturing device (such as a camera) in a video capturing mode or an image capturing mode. The display unit 506 may include a display panel 5061, and the display panel 5061 may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, or the like. The user input unit 507 includes a touch panel 5071 and other input devices 5072. A touch panel 5071, also referred to as a touch screen. The touch panel 5071 may include two parts of a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 5072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (e.g., volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which are not described in further detail herein.

In this embodiment, the radio frequency unit 501 receives downlink data from a network side device and then processes the downlink data to the processor 510; in addition, the uplink data is sent to the network side equipment. In general, radio frequency unit 501 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low noise amplifier, a duplexer, and the like.

The memory 509 may be used to store software programs or instructions as well as various data. The memory 509 may mainly include a storage program or instruction area and a storage data area, wherein the storage program or instruction area may store an operating system, an application program or instruction (such as a sound playing function, an image playing function, etc.) required for at least one function, and the like. In addition, the Memory 509 may include a high-speed random access Memory, and may further include a nonvolatile Memory, wherein the nonvolatile Memory may be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), or a flash Memory. Such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid state storage device.

Processor 510 may include one or more processing units; alternatively, processor 510 may integrate an application processor, which primarily handles operating systems, user interfaces, and applications or instructions, etc., and a modem processor, which primarily handles wireless communications, such as a baseband processor. It will be appreciated that the modem processor described above may not be integrated into processor 510.

Wherein, the processor 510 is configured to switch between at least two search space groups; a radio frequency unit 501, configured to execute a corresponding PDCCH monitoring action according to the switched search space group; wherein the at least two search space groups include a search space group #2, the search space group #2 is not associated with any search space or a first search space, and the first search space includes: at least one of a first type of common search space CSS, a user-specific search space USS, a CSS other than the first type of CSS.

The terminal 500 provided in this embodiment of the present application may further implement each process of the foregoing search space group switching method embodiment, and may achieve the same technical effect, and for avoiding repetition, details are not repeated here.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a readable storage medium, where a program or an instruction is stored on the readable storage medium, and when the program or the instruction is executed by a processor, the program or the instruction implements each process of the above search space group switching method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect, and in order to avoid repetition, details are not repeated here.

The processor may be the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiment. The readable storage medium includes a computer readable storage medium, such as a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and so on.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, where the chip includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to run a program or an instruction to implement each process of the above embodiment of the search space group switching method, and can achieve the same technical effect, and in order to avoid repetition, the details are not repeated here.

It should be understood that the chips mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a system-on-chip, a system-on-chip or a system-on-chip, etc.

It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising an … …" does not exclude the presence of other like elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Further, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatus of the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing the functions in the order illustrated or discussed, but may include performing the functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in a reverse order based on the functions involved, e.g., the methods described may be performed in an order different than that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

Through the description of the foregoing embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the method of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented by software plus a necessary general hardware platform, and certainly may also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases, the former is a better implementation. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the present application may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM/RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk) and includes instructions for enabling a terminal (such as a mobile phone, a computer, a server, an air conditioner, or a network-side device) to execute the method according to the embodiments of the present application.

While the present embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present embodiments are not limited to those precise embodiments, which are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A search space group switching method is applied to a terminal, and comprises the following steps:

switching between at least two search space groups;

executing a corresponding Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring behavior according to the switched search space group;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two search space groups further comprise search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; said switching between at least two search space groups comprises at least one of:

switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 1;

switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein switching between at least two search space groups comprises at least one of:

in the case where the terminal uses the search space group #0, if the first indication is obtained as a first value, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 1;

under the condition that the terminal uses the search space group #0, if the acquired first indication is a second value, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2;

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first DCI further comprises a second indication that at least one of:

5. The method of claim 2, wherein switching between at least two search space groups comprises at least one of:

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two search space groups further comprise search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; said switching between at least two search space groups comprises at least one of:

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0;

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 1;

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or the switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group comprises:

in case that the terminal uses the search space group #2, switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group after a first timer expires or after a first time interval after the first timer expires.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method further comprises: starting or restarting a first timer after switching to the search space group # 2;

9. The method of claim 6, wherein switching between at least two search space groups comprises:

in case the terminal uses the search space group #2, if a second DCI is detected, performing at least one of:

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0;

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 1;

switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group.

10. The method of claim 9,

the second DCI is scrambled by a radio network specific temporary identity (RNTI); and/or

The search space carrying the second DCI is a specific type of search space.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

according to the configuration of network side equipment, at least one item in the second DCI determines to switch from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or from the search space group #2 to the search space group #1 or from the search space group #2 to the default search space group.

12. The method of claim 1, 2, 6 or 9, further comprising:

in case that the terminal uses the search space group #2, if a third DCI is detected, the search space group #2 is continuously used.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the third DCI is scrambled by a group common RNTI or a broadcast RNTI.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

starting or restarting a first timer after detecting the third DCI;

15. The method according to claim 2 or 6, wherein a network side configuration or protocol provides that the terminal does not support direct handover between the search space group #2 and the search space group # 1.

16. The method of claim 7, 8 or 14, wherein the first timer counts in units of: slot, millisecond, or discontinuous reception DRX cycle.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein switching between the at least two search space groups comprises:

switching the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the target information;

wherein the target information comprises at least one of: a secondary cell dormancy or dormancy removal indication, a secondary cell activation or deactivation indication;

the target cell group is other cell groups except the cell group to which the cell indicated by the target information belongs.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least two search space groups further comprise search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; under the condition that the target information comprises a secondary cell dormancy removal indication or a secondary cell activation indication, the switching the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the target information comprises at least one of the following items:

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least two search space groups further comprise search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; under the condition that the target information comprises a secondary cell dormancy indication or a secondary cell deactivation indication, the switching the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the target information comprises at least one of the following items:

20. The method of claim 19, wherein switching search space groups of a target cell group between at least two search space groups according to target information comprises:

if no DCI is detected during the second timer run, switching the search space group of the target cell group between at least two search space groups according to the target information.

21. A search space group switching apparatus, comprising:

a switching module for switching between at least two search space groups;

the PDCCH monitoring module is used for executing corresponding PDCCH monitoring behaviors according to the switched search space group;

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least two search space groups further comprise search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; the switching module is configured to at least one of:

switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 1;

switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the switching module is configured to at least one of:

in the case of using the search space group #0, if the first indication is obtained as the second value, switching from the search space group #0 to the search space group # 2;

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first DCI further comprises a second indication that at least one of:

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the switching module is configured to at least one of:

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least two search space groups further comprise search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; the switching module is configured to at least one of:

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0;

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 1;

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or the switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group comprises:

28. The apparatus of claim 21 or 22, further comprising:

a control module for starting or restarting a first timer after switching to the search space group # 2;

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the switching module is configured to at least one of:

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 0;

switching from the search space group #2 to the search space group # 1;

switching from the search space group #2 to the default search space group.

30. The apparatus of claim 29,

the second DCI is scrambled by a specific RNTI; and/or

The search space carrying the second DCI is a specific type of search space.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the switching module is further configured to determine to switch from the search space group #2 to the search space group #0 or from the search space group #2 to the search space group #1 or from the search space group #2 to the default search space group according to at least one of a network-side device configuration, a predefined rule, and the second DCI.

32. The apparatus of claim 21, 22, 26 or 29, wherein the switching module is further configured to continue using the search space group #2 if a third DCI is detected if the search space group #2 is used.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the third DCI is scrambled by a group common RNTI or a broadcast RNTI.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

35. The apparatus according to claim 22 or 26, wherein the network side configuration or protocol provides that the search space group switching apparatus does not support direct switching between the search space group #2 and the search space group # 1.

36. The apparatus of claim 27, 28 or 34, wherein the first timer counts in units of: slot, millisecond, or DRX cycle.

37. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the handover module is configured to handover a search space group of a target cell group between at least two search space groups according to target information;

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least two search space groups further comprise search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; the handover module, if the target information includes a secondary cell dormancy removal indication or a secondary cell activation indication, is configured to at least one of:

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least two search space groups further comprise search space group #0 and/or search space group # 1; the handover module, when the target information includes a secondary cell dormancy indication or a secondary cell deactivation indication, is configured to at least one of:

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the means for handing over the search space group of the target cell group between the at least two search space groups based on the target information if DCI is not detected during the second timer run.

41. A terminal comprising a processor, a memory, and a program or instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor, the program or instructions when executed by the processor implementing the search space group switching method of any one of claims 1 to 20.

42. A readable storage medium, on which a program or instructions are stored, which when executed by the processor, implement the search space group switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.